Locking Device

ABSTRACT

A container locking device has a rotating rod ( 16 ) that is rotatably attachable on a first container element between a releasing position and a locking position. At least one locking member ( 18 ) is mountable on a second container element. The locking member ( 18 ) is movable between an opened position and a closing position. In the open position, the rotating rod ( 16 ) is arranged within a locking recess ( 28 ) of the locking member ( 18 ). In the closing position, the locking member ( 18 ) is pivotable between a closed pivot position and an opened pivot position around the rotating rod ( 16 ). The rotating rod ( 16 ) has a contour. The contour is such, that with the rotating rod ( 16 ) in its locking position, the contour is supported on a support face ( 30 ) of the locking member ( 18 ) in its closed position. The support face ( 30 ) has an undercut ( 33 ). The undercut ( 33 ) enables pivoting of the locking member ( 18 ) from the closed pivot position into the opened pivot position. The locking member ( 18 ), when supported by the support face ( 30 ) on the rotating rod ( 16 ), is retained against moving in a direction towards the opened position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/002272, filed Mar. 15, 2007 which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102006021636.9. filed May 8, 2006, which application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a container locking device with two container elements that are movable relative to each other between an opened position and a closed position, especially, a roof box, with two box elements, namely a lower part and a lid, to be mounted on a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A locking device is known from DE 43 40 083 C2. The lid is pivotable by hinges around two parallel axes relative to the lower part. The hinge axes are arranged respectively on a longitudinal side of the roof box. The hinges include, respectively, a sleeve connected to the lid and a hinge pin connected to the lower part. The latter is axially displaceable along the hinge axis. The hinge pins of all the hinges on a longitudinal side of the roof box are axially displaceable by a joint actuation rod. The actuation rod can be actuated by a locking cylinder. Thus, the hinges serve to lock the roof box, such that the hinge pins are moved axially into the sleeves. Furthermore, the roof box can be pivoted, when the hinge pins on one longitudinal side of the roof box are in the opened position, and, when the hinge pins of the other longitudinal side of the roof box are in the closed position, around the hinge axis of the hinge pins that are in the closed position.

However, it has been found, that displacing the actuation rod necessitates large actuation forces. Furthermore, the actuation rods tend to freeze easily, and thus, the actuation rods can hardly be detached by the locking cylinders and then be moved.

DE 149 744 shows an espagnolette lock for a window. A rotating rod is rotatably attached on the window around an axis of rotation between a releasing position and a locking position. The rod is movable together with the window, relative to locking eyelets mounted on a window frame, between an opened position and a closed position. The rotating rod has, respectively, in the area of the locking eyelets a flattened contour. The flattened contour is formed such that the rotating rod can enter through an opening into a locking recess of the respective locking eyelet. The contour is supported in the closing position and the locking position of the rotating rod on the respective locking eyelet. Thus, the window cannot be opened. For this, the flattened contour has a narrow and a wide contour width. The narrow contour width is narrower than the openings. The wide contour width is wider than the openings of the locking eyelets.

A similar lock for a flap in a door is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,993.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a locking device for containers that ensures locking of the container and pivoting of the container elements relative to each other while having low actuation forces.

According to the disclosure, a container locking device having two container elements, especially for roof boxes mounted on a motor vehicle, with two container elements, namely a lower part and lid, comprises a rotating rod. The rotating rod is rotatably attached on a first of the two container elements around an axis of rotation between a releasing position and a locking position. At least one locking member is attachable on a second of the two container elements. The at least one locking member is movable transversely to the rotating rod between an opened position and a closed position. The rotating rod is arranged within a locking recess of the locking member in an open position. In the closed position, the rotating rod is pivotable between a closed pivot position and an opened pivot position around the rotating rod. The rotating rod has a contour. The contour is at least in the area where the rotating rod is arranged in the closing position of the locking member within the locking recess. The contour is formed such that the locking member, in its closing position and in the locking position of the rotating rod, is supported with a support face of the locking recess on the rotating rod. It is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position. The support face has an undercut that enables pivoting of the locking member from the closed pivot position into the open pivot position when the rotating rod is in the locking position. The locking member is supported with the support face on the rotating rod. The locking member is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position.

The rotating rod has a contour. The contour is arranged, in the closed position of the locking member, within the locking recess of the locking member. The locking member is supported, in its closed position and in the locking position of the rotating rod, on the contour of the rotating rod. The locking member is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position. Also, the locking member is securely connected to the rotating rod. Thus, the two container elements are securely connected to each other and the container is securely locked.

The support face has an undercut that enables, when the rotating rod is in a locking position, pivoting of the locking member from the closed pivot position into the opened pivot position. The locking member is supported on the rotating rod and is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position. The locking device can take up the function of locking a container as well as the function of a hinge between the container elements.

A secure connection between the locking member and the rotating rod can be achieved. The locking member is supported, in its closed position and in the locking position of the rotating rod, transversely to the axis of rotation of the rotating rod in all directions. Also, the rotating rod is retained in the locking recess.

The rotating rod has at least a flattened contour with a wide contour width and a narrow contour width. The rotating rod is arranged in the closed position of the locking member within the locking recess. The locking recess forms an opening, through which the rotating rod, when moving the locking member in a closing direction from the opened position into the closed position, enters into the locking recess. The opening is, when seen in closing direction, wider than the narrow contour width and narrower than the wide contour width.

The locking member has a first projection that forms a support face. The first projection passes the rotating rod in its releasing position when moving the locking member into its closed position. The first projection is engaged behind by the rotating rod in its locking position.

An actuation mechanism rotates the rotating rod between the releasing position and the locking position. The actuation mechanism can also serve to retain the rotating rod in its locking position. Thus, a defined locking position of the rotating rod is achieved so that it cannot be unintentionally rotated. Thus, an unintentional detaching of the locking member from the rotating rod is prevented. The actuation mechanism comprises a locking cylinder that rotates and holds the rotating rod, which also serves to lock the locking device.

A container with two container elements, especially for a roof box to be mounted on a motor vehicle, includes two locking devices as described above. The two locking devices are arranged, respectively, on one of the opposite sides of the container. The two container elements are pivotable by one of the locking devices around the rotating rod of the respective locking device relative to each other. In order to pivot the container elements relative to each other at least one locking member of one of the locking devices is arranged in its closed position. The rotating rod of the same locking device is arranged in the locking position. The rotating rod of the other locking device is arranged in the releasing position. Thus, the container can be opened from two sides, wherein the locking devices take up, respectively, the function of a locking system as well as a hinge.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment is described in detail in the following by means of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a lower part of a roof box with the lid removed.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the roof box according to FIG. 1, along the intersection line II-II, with lid in a closed condition.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the roof box according to FIG. 1, sectioned along the intersection line II-II, with the lid in a condition opened on a first side.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the roof box according to FIG. 1 along the intersection line II-II with lid in a condition opened on a second side.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a locking member in the closed pivot position with one rotating rod in the releasing position.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the locking member according to FIG. 5 in the closed pivot position with one rotating rod in the locking position.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the locking member according to FIG. 5 in the opened pivot position with one rotating rod in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 represents a top plan view of a roof box 1 that has no lid so that a lower part 2 of the roof box 1 is represented with an open top. FIGS. 2 to 4 show the roof box 1 in cross-section in different positions. The position of a lid 2 in relation to the lower part 2 is shown. In FIG. 2 the lid 3 is shown in the closed position. The lid 3 is pivotable upwards in relation to the lower part 2 around two parallel sides 4, 5. This facilitates the accessibility into the roof box 1 from a to be selected side of the vehicle, on which roof the roof box 1 is mounted. The lid 3 can be lifted, as shown in FIG. 3, from a first side 4 or, as shown in FIG. 4, from a second side 5.

A first locking device 6 is arranged within the roof box 1 on the first side. A second locking device 7 is attached within the roof box 1 on the second side 5. Both serve to pivot or open the lid 3. The first locking device 6 includes three hinges 8, 9, 10. The second locking device 7 also includes three hinges 11, 12, 13. The hinges 8, 9, 10 of the first locking device 6 define a first pivot axis. The hinges 11, 12, 13 of the second locking device 7 define a second pivot axis. Each locking device 6, 7 further includes a rotating rod 16, 17, respectively. The rotating rods 16, 17 are rotatably attached around axes of rotation 14, 15 on the lower part 2. The pivot axes are formed by the rotating rods 16, 17.

The hinges 8 to 13 further include locking members 18, 19 (not shown in FIG. 1). The locking members 18, 19 can be detachably connected to the respective rotating rod 16, 17. In a condition connected to a rotating rod 16, 17, the locking members 18, 19 are pivotable around the rotating rods 16, 17. The locking members 18, 19 are connected to the lid 3. Thus, when opening and closing the lid 3, the locking members 18, 19 of one of the locking devices 6, 7 are pivoted around the respective rotating rod 16, 17.

In order to actuate the rotating rods 16, 17, actuation devices 20, 21 are provided. The actuation devices 20, 21 include, respectively, a locking cylinder 22, 23. The locking cylinders 22, 23 are rotated by a key so that the respective rotating rod 16, 17 can be rotated. Thus, as explained in detail in the following, the locking members 18, 19 of one of the locking devices 6, 7 are pivotably connected either to the respective rotating rod 16, 17 or can be removed from the respective rotating rod 16, 17.

At least one lid stay 24 is arranged between the lower part 2 and the lid 3. The lid stay 24 serves to support the lid 3, as visible from FIGS. 3 and 4, in the opened position relative to the lower part 2. The lid stay 24 serves to hold the lid 3, as represented in FIG. 2, firmly on the lower part 2.

As visible from FIGS. 2 to 4, the locking members 18, 19 can take up different positions. In FIGS. 2 and 4 the locking member 18 of the first locking device 6 is in a closing position. It can be transmitted into an opened position by opening the lid 3 on the first side 4 as shown in FIG. 3. The closing member 18 is moved transversely to the rotating rod 16. When the locking member 18 of the first locking device 6 is arranged in its closing position, it can be pivoted around the rotating rod 16 of the first locking device 6. The locking member 18 can be pivoted between a closed pivot position shown in FIG. 2 and the opened pivot position shown in FIG. 4.

The same above disclosure of locking member 18 is valid for the locking member 19 of the second locking device 7.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a front plan view of the locking member 18 of the middle hinge 9 of the first locking device 6 as well as the rotating rod 16 of the first locking device 6.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, the locking member 18 of the first locking device 6 is shown in its closing position. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking member 18 is arranged in the closed pivot position according to FIG. 2. In FIG. 7 the locking member 18 is arranged in its opened pivot position according to FIG. 4. The rotating rod 16 can be rotated between a releasing position shown in FIG. 5 and a locking position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The locking member 18 is described in detail and is representative for all other locking members, i.e., locking member 19. The locking member 18 is arm-like and has an attachment face 26 at is first end. The attachment face 26 can be mounted within the roof box 1, as is visible in FIGS. 2 to 4, on the lid 3. The locking member 18 has a locking recess 28 at a second end 27 arranged opposite to the first end 25. The locking member 18, in its closing position, can be attached to the rotating rod 16. The rotating rod 16 can enter into the recess in the closing position of the locking member 18. For this, the locking recess 28 has an opening 29, which shortly before reaching the closing position of the locking member 18, faces the rotating rod 16 in a moving direction BR. The moving direction BR is achieved by pivoting the lid 3 around the second locking device on the second side of the roof box. The locking member 18 is attached to the rotating rod 16 when moving into the closing position. Thus, the rotating rod 16 enters through the opening 29 into the locking recess 28, as is visible in FIG. 5.

The rotating rod 16 has, at least in the area of the locking recess 29, a flattened contour. The rotating rod 16 has a narrow contour width SPB as well as a wide contour width BPB. The narrow contour width SPB is narrower than the opening 29. The wide contour width BPB is larger than the opening 29. Thus, the rotating rod 16 can enter into the locking recess 28 only in one rotational position. This closing position is the releasing position, as it is visible in FIG. 5. Shortly before reaching the closing position, the rotating rod 16 faces, with its narrow contour width (SPB), the opening 29.

From the position shown in FIG. 5 the rotating rod 16 can be transmitted in the rotational direction DR into the locking position. A holding face 31 of the rotating rod 16 is supported on a support face 30 of the locking recess 28 against the moving direction BR. Thus, the locking member 18 cannot be moved against the moving direction BR, in a direction towards the opened position. The support face 30 faces away from the opening 29. In the closing position, the wide contour width BPB of the rotating rod 16 faces the opening 29. Thus, the rotating rod 16 cannot be moved out of the opening 29.

The rotating rod 16 is formed, in cross-section, as a segment of a circle with a straight holding face 21 and an arc-like rear face 32. The residual inner face 35 of the locking recess 28 can abut against the rear face 32. Thus, the locking member 18 is supported in all directions transversely to the axis of rotation 14.

The locking member 28 can be pivoted in a direction of a pivot direction SR that is orientated opposite to the rotational direction DR of the rotating rod 16. The support face 30 has an undercut 33 that receives the rotating rod 16 when the locking member 18 is pivoted from the closed pivot position, shown in FIG. 6, in the direction of the pivot direction SR into the opened pivot position, shown in FIG. 7. While doing so, the holding face 31 rolls on the support face 30. The pivot axis is displaced parallel to the axis of rotation 15. Also, it is arranged on a contact line 34 between the holding face 31 and the support face 30.

The wide contour width BPB of the rotating rod 16 is essentially facing the opening in the opened pivot position of the locking member 18, shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the rotating rod cannot be moved out of the locking recess 28. Thus, the locking member 18 is also connected securely to the rotating rod 16 in the opening pivot position. Thus, the locking member 18 cannot be moved against the moving direction BR.

The support face 30 is formed on a first projection 36 of the locking member 18. An inner face 35 is arranged on the support face 30, following its undercut 33. The inner face 35 is formed partially by a second projection 37 of the locking member 18. The opening 29 is arranged between the two projections 36, 37.

Analogously, the locking member 18 can be transmitted, starting from the opening pivot position, shown in FIG. 7, against the pivot direction SR into the closed pivot position, shown in FIG. 6. Also, the rotating rod 16 can be transmitted from the locking position, shown in FIG. 6, against the rotational direction DR into the releasing position, shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the locking member 18 is able to open together with the lid against the moving direction BR.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A locking device for locking a container with two container elements, especially for roof boxes mounted on a motor vehicle, a lower part and lid, comprising: a rotating rod rotatably attached on a first of the two container elements around an axis of rotation between a releasing position and a locking position; at least one locking member, attachable on a second of the two container elements, said at least one locking member movable transversely to the rotating rod between an opened position and a closed position, in said closed position, said rotating rod is arranged within a locking recess of the locking member and, in said closed position, said locking member is pivotable between a closed pivot position and an opened pivot position around the rotating rod; said rotating rod has a contour wherein when the rotating rod is arranged in the closing position of the locking member within the locking recess, said contour in the locking position of the rotating rod is supported by a support face of the locking recess of the locking member in its closing position and said rotating rod is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position; and said support face has an undercut for enabling pivoting of the locking member from the closed pivot position into the opened pivot position with the rotating rod in the locking position and the locking member is supported by the support face on the rotating rod and said locking member is held against moving in a direction towards the opened position.
 11. The locking device according to claim 10, wherein the locking member, with the rotating rod in the locking position, is supported in its closed position transversely to the axis of rotation of the rotating rod in all directions and the rotating rod is retained in the locking recess.
 12. The locking device according to claim 10, wherein the rotating rod has a flattened contour with a wide contour width and a narrow contour width and when the rotating rod is arranged in the closed position of the locking member, said flattened contour is within the locking recess, said locking recess forms an opening, through which the rotating rod, when moving the locking member into a closing direction from the opened position into the closed position, enters the locking recess, and the opening is, when seen in closing direction, wider than the narrow contour width and narrower than the wide contour width.
 13. The locking device according to claim 12, wherein the flattened contour is formed like a segment of a circle.
 14. The locking device according claim 10, wherein the locking member has a first projection that includes the support face and said first projection passes the rotating rod into its releasing position, when moving the locking member into its closed position, and said first projection is engaged behind by the rotating rod in its locking position.
 15. The locking device according to claim 10, wherein an actuation mechanism is provided for rotating the rotating rod between the releasing position and the locking position.
 16. The locking device according to claim 15, wherein the actuation mechanism retains the rotating rod in its locking position.
 17. The locking device according to claim 15, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a locking cylinder for rotating and holding the rotating rod.
 18. A container with two container elements, especially for a roof box to be mounted on a motor vehicle, and two locking devices according to claim 10, wherein the two locking devices are arranged, respectively, on one of the opposite sides of the container, the two container elements are pivotable by one of the locking devices around the rotating rod of the respective locking device relative to each other, and for pivoting the container elements relative to each other, the at least one locking member of one of the locking devices is arranged in its closed position and the rotating rod of the same locking device is arranged in the locking position and the rotating rod of the other locking device is arranged in the releasing position. 